Ok here's the story- I wanted a cute set up for Genevieve's 13th birthday party and was happy to splurge on it, but I kept running into obstacles. First, she and her friends are a bit big for the rental sleepover set ups. Second, my ideal date was booked with nearly everyone I reached out to, and lastly, we don't have the space to house 8 tents/teepees. After lots of calls, I became determined to DIY a sleepover set-up for her 13th birthday! We don't often host sleepovers- actually we never host sleepovers- but for 13 I wanted to do something special. Not only did I end up saving money (more on that later), but it also turned out cuter than I could have imagined! Here's what we did and how to recreate it if you'd like.

It's been a few months, ahem 4, but this party is too cute not to share! You guys know I have a running list of party themes I want to use and a space theme birthday party has been high on that list for years. When Dax couldn't decide what he wanted I jumped on it since a) he loves outer space and b) there were so many cute possibilities! Here are the details to look for:

Did you know Claire's hosts parties?! I didn't! Once, during an AWFUL trip to the mall (one in which the kids were wild and I lost my ish), we spotted a sign advertising "We do parties!" Good things come from terrible mall experiences! A party at Claire's seemed like the perfect pre-tween party idea. We inquired and got some details that all sounded fantastic! Details such as:

Dax turned 4 last week and we threw him a last-minute Batman party with neighborhood friends. Dax and Nadia's birthday are just one day apart and every year I try something different but whatever I try- September always seems crazy!

My big girl turned 8 in November. Each year I have so much fun choosing her theme. Even on years when she chooses something I wouldn't (Lookin at you Minnie Mouse), it's still fun to get creative while she watches the party come to life. I planned this party in a few days with a trip to Wal-Mart, Hobby Lobby, and an Amazon Purchase. Sources and tips to throw your own simple party are at the end and throughout.

Nadia turned 6! I can't believe it- I feel like I was just planning her circus party to celebrate her very first birthday. How fast time flies right?! She requested a trolls party and you guys- I guess I've grown up or gotten tired, because I just went with it. Character parties aren't usually my favorite to plan but the kids have loved them and Genevieve's Minnie Mouse party was (and is, I think?) the most viewed party on Pretty Real. Plus I love the movie and the music!

Christmas is over! I'm sad but my excitement in sharing Genevieve's Care Bears party is taking the edge off. ;) I have to say, this one was definitely a favorite. Maybe it's because I loved Care Bears as a kid and now the girls enjoy it 30 20 years later 😉. Or it might be the larger than life Cheer Bear on the snack table. ha! Either way, this was a fun one with lots of simple and budget friendly ideas for anyone looking to throw a similar Care Bears party!

I'm excited to share Dax and Nadia's Shark and Mermaid party with you! Since their birthdays are one day apart, a joint party just makes sense. Eventually I might not get away with coordinating themes, but since Dax is obsessed with sharks (so cute you guys!) and Nadia loves mermaids (hence the girls' mermaid themed room), this year it worked!

This one is for the mamas who don't have the time, patience, or interest in labor intensive DIY. I see you girl. I heart DIY (like a lot), but sometimes when I'm tossing a $20-in-supplies-and-2-hours-of-my-time DIY in the garbage, I'm like wait, what? The good news is that some parties totally lend themselves to store bought goodness. Take my nephew's Superhero Party for instance. The colors, the graphics, the variety...it all just looks SO fun. Pair it with superhero party food, the best backyard ever (my brother-in-law literally built a pirate ship in their backyard. Seriously), and well, it just works! Here are a few pictures to prove my point:

I can't believe I made it this long before throwing a Frozen party. I'm not typically a fan of character parties but this one was such fun.  Since I was having it at a venue I made sure to use budget friendly Frozen Party ideas incorporating the colors and winter themed decor.  Here's how it turned out!

Since the party would be at jumpin beans, I set up a mock party to grab some photos. I loved using place settings (something I've never done since I typically host at home).
  Frozen wrapping paper from the Dollar Tree + Packing tape made for easy water bottle labels.

After yesterday's raw post, I thought I'd share the fun one I was working on when my emotions took over.  Today enjoy the last post of Nadia's Birthday party.  You know, before we're celebrating her 3rd birthday!  In this one, I'll share her birthday cake(s), some party people, and of course the most special part--the birthday girl smashing her cake and realizing "wait, this is all for me?"  I love that moment when kids look around at everyone singing for them!  So sweet!

I'm determined to share the rest of Nadia's party with you before her next birthday.  I know-- I'm super ambitious.  This is the 2nd to final post on one of my favorite parts of the party: decorations.  I love balloons and streamers as much as the next mom but I go gaga over DIY projects, crafts, and party trends.  So here goes:

Remember the party I helped my sister-in-law plan back in June?  Well I owe you the rest of the details! My sister-in-law loves to cook and try new appetizers so rather than my usual dessert buffet, she did a full table of football themed snacks and appetizers.  These ideas are perfect for game day snacks or the Super Bowl.

I love to blog other people's parties! I can enjoy sharing the details with you without re-living fatal flaws (this comment might make more sense after I publish the first of Nadia's party posts which I'm currently working on).  I also love to share parties that vary in style.  My sisters-in-law who I've mentioned before and I all have different styles, tastes, and strengths.  Erin makes the most amazing cakes and always has fun activities and games.  Christy makes the most delicious food and cool paper products.  And I go crazy with crafting and DIY decor.  The best of all worlds is when we all work together.  Oh how I wish we had the time and cash to do that more often!  Christy, the one who made Nadia's gorgeous circus invitation and book party invitation, threw this awesome party for her son Luke and Joe.  My husband.  That Joe.  The last couple of years she's been gracious enough to add Joe's name to the invitation so that I didn't have two parties back to back.  There's a reason I love this woman.  Of course it's me, so I forgot to take pictures of the food which was incredible (I'm still dreaming about the scallops wrapped in bacon) but I took pictures of other party elements that were fun!  So without further ado: